House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
Fisheries March 13th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the government is proceeding today to do all things required in a very normal and appropriate way in Canadian law. That is the action we are taking today and that is the action we shall continue without fail over the hours and days ahead.
Fisheries March 13th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, knowing the House has a good imagination, I can say that a healthy fishery is conducted on animals, living resources of the sea that are between 24 and 28 inches. Many of the fish being caught are smaller than the palm of my hand. That is no prop; that is my hand. This has to stop.
Fisheries March 13th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Leader of the Opposition for raising this question and for the considerable support that the Bloc Quebecois has given to the government regarding this issue.
Concerning the catches found aboard the Estai , we found that up to 70 per cent of all of the fish caught were small and immature. This is an important issue for the fishermen of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Quebec and Prince Edward Island. This is clear. Atlantic fishermen have unanimously called on the government to take effective action.
As the Leader of the Opposition has asked, we have commenced inspection aboard the vessel. Based on the preliminary estimates, not the completed and full inspection, more than 70 per cent of all stock found aboard the vessel is very small, sexually immature fish not capable of reproduction. Some 30 per cent were less than 14 inches, 21 per cent less than 12 inches, and 22 per cent less than 9 inches. A good chunk of the fish are smaller than this pen.
Fisheries March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to see that my colleague has taken an interest in the matter, because for the last year we have been working very diligently to put an end to overfishing.
As part of the process of putting an end to overfishing, last year we did not have this bellicose noise. We had the co-operation of the Reform Party and the co-operation of the Bloc Quebecois. I recognize that last year was a rare time when the House was unanimous and passed Bill C-29 to take the necessary measures to throw flag of convenience vessels off the nose and tail. They left last May and they have not returned.
The cabinet and the national caucus from sea to sea to sea are united behind the cause of the fishermen of Atlantic Canada. We will be calling upon them for their support again in the days and weeks ahead.
Fisheries March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. Canadians have shown a tremendous interest this year in taking 60 per cent of the quota assigned to Canada by NAFO.
I am informed that in the 35 to 40-foot category somewhere between 200 and 500 boats are now gearing up to participate in the fishery. From the sixty-five to one hundred foot category, five vessels are now gearing up. From the fifty-five to sixty-five foot category, forty vessels are now gearing up.
For the first time in a decade Canadian offshore vessels, vessels from fisheries products, internationals and national sea, are going to the offshore to catch turbot to take the Canadian share. One left yesterday at noon. One will leave in 45 minutes. They are going out on the continental shelf beyond 200 miles and they are going to take Canada's share of the turbot quota.
Fishery Resources February 27th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I welcome the member here today and thank him for his excellent question. I know he has been busy with the hearings in the province of Quebec. Obviously he has been listening and that is why he is having trouble speaking. He has come to the conclusion that the future is here in a united federation and it is where we solve our problems. We are delighted to have him back.
We had a very good decision.
At the NAFO conference in Brussels, we made good decisions for the fishermen of Quebec and Canada. We gave Quebec fishermen new opportunities.
I assure the member that we are not going to throw away that opportunity. We are going to preserve the stock because we have the united will of all of the fishermen, tous les pêcheurs du Canada, behind the government to solve this problem.
Fisheries February 22nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I think the member's expertise in the area of international law is acknowledged by everyone in the House.
The member is correct that last year we had some difficulties on both the west coast with respect to salmon and on the east coast with respect to Icelandic scallop. Canada took direct action and action by way of negotiations to try to resolve our differences.
This year Canada's jurisdictional rights over Icelandic scallop is acknowledged by the United States, not challenged. This year we have completed the negotiation of a successful agreement governing the transit of Yukon salmon as a consequence of aggressive action last year. This year we are back at the table negotiating on Pacific salmon.
We much prefer to talk. We much prefer to negotiate. We will go to the nth degree to settle our differences by agreement. However we warn all those who are listening that we will not sit and talk while the last fish is being caught.
Fisheries February 20th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the groundfish assistance program available for the fishermen of Atlantic Canada is under some financial stress because more fishermen and more plant workers than originally anticipated have had to request assistance.
One of the reasons that there are more fishermen and more plant workers is that from an ecological point of view, more fisheries have had to be closed as recently as a few months ago.
The red fishery, which is important to the Magdalen Islands had to be closed, necessitating more assistance being paid out to additional plant workers and fishermen.
We are looking for ways of streamlining the program. For example we could reduce training programs for older workers who really will not make use of them in order to get the program back within budget. It is a program that is supported by the
fishermen and by the plant workers of Atlantic Canada, including those in Quebec.
Frankly the Bloc Quebecois should be celebrating this virtue of federation, that those who have share with those who do not in times of need. That is the strength of the unity of Canada.
Fisheries February 20th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the member is making a case on behalf of the Bloc Quebecois that the fishermen of Quebec be completely cut off any income assistance from the national government.
I know that there is a profound attempt by the Bloc Quebecois to sever Canadians living in Quebec from the benefits of Canada but this surely is a ridiculous proposition.
Fisheries February 14th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, a noisy House is particularly difficult for quiet-spoken members like me.
Canadian fishermen indeed were pleased to receive from the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization 60 per cent of the turbot quota at the meeting in Brussels. They thought it appropriate that the Spanish fleet fishing under the EU flag received an appropriate level of allocation, in this case 13 per cent.
We want to work with the European Union to see this conservation plan put in place in a responsible fashion. The Department of Foreign Affairs has taken the lead in making Canada's view known.
We have heard reports that the EU may object to the NAFO decision and set unilateral quotas. That is not acceptable to Canada. The last time the EU set unilateral quotas they destroyed flatfish stocks and northern cod. Canada will not stand by and see more stocks destroyed.